NaviGadget

u-Nav Microelectronics Picks Tensilica Xtensa Processors for Portable GPS Systems

Feb 7, 2006 gps navigation, misc news

Tensilica, Inc. today announced that u-Nav Microelectronics, a worldwide leader in ultra-low power Global Positioning Systems (GPS) semiconductors, has picked the Xtensa configurable processors for its next-generation GPS designs, which will be targeted for portable applications such as mobile wireless handsets and consumer devices.

“We selected the Tensilica Xtensa processor because they offered us the most flexibility and achieved the lowest power for a programmable solution.” stated Greg Winner, COO of u-Nav Microelectronics. “With the ability to customize Xtensa through Tensilica’s automated processor generation technology, and the inclusion of u-Nav’s custom instructions, we created a unique way to significantly lower the total power consumption of our complete GPS system-on-chip design.”

“Many engineering teams assume that configurable processor technology is useful only in applications that have significant high performance (speed) requirements. But the engineers at
u-Nav quickly realized that extending the Xtensa processor through our TIE (Tensilica Instruction Extension) language and processor generator technology was an ideal method to drive towards optimal power efficiency for mobile applications,” stated Steve Roddy, Tensilica’s vice president of marketing. “At Tensilica we are excited to be partnering with u-Nav as this relationship highlights yet another win for the Xtensa architecture in high-volume mobile handset applications.”… read